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Date set for Judicial Review of state pensions for 50s born women

Michael Mansfield QC will taking the case of the injustice to 3.8 million 50s born women to judicial review on May 24 and 25.

UPDATE: Since this blog was written the dates for the hearing were changed to June 5 and June 6.

The historic hearing into whether 3.9 million 50s born women have been cheated out of their state pension by the government has been set by the High Court for May 24.

The date is later than expected because the Department for Work and Pensions expected to win the hearing for permission to bring the review on November 30 brought by BackTo60 campaigning group and thought they would stop the process in its tracks.

Now the Department has been allowed more time to prepare its case as all of its initial arguments to stop the review were thrown out by the judge.

The Hon Ms Justice Lang – who is also known as Dame Beverley Ann Macnaughton Lang – ruled in favour of all the issues raised by barristers Catherine Rayner and Michael Mansfield on behalf of the women.

This means the government will have to answer whether the decision to raise the state pension age from 60 to 65 and then 66 amounted to age and equality discrimination. The key point is that the judge decided that although the legislation dated back to 1995 the present effects of the change is causing hardship to a specific group of women who were not able to fully contribute to the national insurance fund.

The original hearing also led the government to admit that further changes introduced by the coalition government in 2011 had been part of an austerity programme and reveal that the private pensions industry is also against the women winning their case as it could have a knock on effect on private occupational pensions that are tied to the state pension age.

The issue of maladministration will not be the main feature of the case as this is being dealt with by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Cases of discrimination and resulting hardship can still be brought by MPs to the Ombudsman. And recently Ben Lake, the Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion filed a case on behalf of a constituent.

Joanne Welch, spokeswoman, said

” BackTo60 .com had a resounding victory on 30th November 2018 and our amazing World Class Legal Team pressed home our advantage for a 2-Day Substantive Hearing.“The substantial significance of our argument has been recognised by the authorities and the case has been elevated to a higher level for determination – this has necessarily involved an alteration of hearing dates.” There will now be a much more thorough and robust review as the case will take on an historic perspective and achieve national significance: it will be heard, May 2019, at the Divisional Court.Our collective impetus is working so well, thanks to each one of you. Long may it be so.”

I was made redundant 5 years ago and told I wasn’t eligible for anything because I had half of my late husbands pension, a colleague was also made redundant, her husband works, has a military pension and she got jsa, was sickened and wondered why I had contributed all those years. Was told it is not assessed on household income but the individuals, so being widowed has cost me dearly, what a stupid system we should be told if it is a contributor benefit or not. I seem to think goalpost been moved again, also a woman born in the 50’s so really fed up and feel doubly cheated.

hi sara I am in the very same boat as you it is a disgrace I have worked since I was 15 and got made redundant thirty months ago , again like you all I was entitled to was 6 months jsa because we don’t have a mortgage and my husband works t is time we all got our money we have worked hard for this country need to look after the ones who contributed not money going overseas .

Hi I too got made redundant by the Government (working getting jobs for youngsters) )in 2011 have not been able to get a job. I have been told this is due to my spondylitis. My husband was working and I too got only JSA for 6 months. My husband had to give up work a couple of years ago due to Severe Arthritis. We are on Pension Credits and Carers Allowance. I have worked for over 35 years. I started working whilst at school. I too feel cheated out of my pension.

I don’t think it was that they turned up unprepared as all their arguments they thought were going to get the case thrown out were in fact thrown out, so they have to come up with new arguments. Let’s hope the ones thrown out were their best ones.

Thank you to everyone who has highlighted this gross injustice and is working so diligently to claw back our pensions for us. I was born in 1954 and began working from the age of 17, sometimes holding down 1 or 2 other jobs alongside my main scientific/medical career. I was made redundant 2 years ago and have had to retrain in a related area so that I can remain financially independent – not easy when you are 65. Without the support from my partner, I would be desperate….it has been a very difficult time.

I can’t believe they got away with the change in the first place, sneakily brought in. No time to put extra away to allow us women in our 50s to retire when we were promised. when we contributed all our lives to the promise of leaving work at 60 to enjoy a few years relaxing with our loved ones. The change was definitely not bringing equality as we have had an extra 6/7 years added and men have had a year. Surely bringing men down to 62, with a choice to work on, and bringing women up to 62 would have been fairer on both.so many of us have worked hard, heavy jobs, before health and safety rules were brought in, and now have health issues but are FORCED to work beyond our promised retirement. They hope we aren’t around to get what we paid in for, which will, sadly, be the case for many xx

I am struggling to keep my husband who is ill and 2 dependants as well. It’s highwat robbery not to have allowed me to receive my pension at 60 ! What right have they got to withhold it ? Why should I be forced to work at nearly 63 yrs old ? We will not get a chance to enjoy retirement ! It simply very unfair. There is high unemployment so let the young do their share and let us retire at a decent age !

Why is it . They keep saying. The women’s pension age has gone up in line to the men’s . Which is 65 . Because it isn’t the case , the pension age is 65 if you were born . In the earlier part of the 1950 , it goes up aswell by what mth you were born in . By a extra 6mths . I’m not a hundred percent sure of the exact dates , but I think it’s feb 9th to Aug 9th . So if born in between those date’s you will get it at 66 . I was born in Aug 31st so do get it till 66.6 mths . Men’s has gone up as well . So it’s looks to me with the 6mth rise . If born in 1958 then you will be 67. Then 67.6 . 1959 68 then 68.6 . . So ????? Where is the 5yr extra we are all told now . Because it’s a load of rubbish

I’m 1957 but it’s 66 for us thankfully, 67 for those a bit older than us. What they haven’t taken in to consideration, if you were born before 31st August is that we were the last year that left school at 15 so we’re paying stamp a year longer too. Nobody has obviously looked at any historical

Absolutely agree with this comment. We have paid our national insurance all our working lives. Now we find that those of us born in 1956 have to work another six years before we can retire! What happens if we become physically unable to carry on with sometimes very demanding work? I thought we were going to be made to retire in order to let young people get out to work.

I was born in 1953. Just before I was 60 I received a letter stating that I couldn’t have my pension until I was 63, 2 months and 6 days! How did they work THAT one out?! I worked from when I was 15 until I was 62 when due to an accident I was unable to work. However, ATOS decided that as I could move my arms I had to work. The accident affected my legs, not my arms! So, I was unable to find work and unable to claim. Luckily I have a partner who was willing to support me.

But really, can we really trust a guy who can’t even get an ‘unlawful killing’ verdict when they really did creep up behind the guy wearing disguises and shot him 7, 8 or possibly 9 times in the head…? That is the official version, but also a delusion supposedly that leads to people getting anally gang raped in mental prisons amongst other things 😦

Happy New Year girls, It’s hard to believe we will win even though we should. Dare not get too excited about a small amount of money that would change our miserable financial lives and elevate us all to feeling worthy instead of worthless, which of course we are NOT.! When I just read this email I was so excited by the date for the judicial review because as an astrologer I know this is part of divine providence dates of 2018. Jessica Adams (Astrologer) told me 2 years ago that the 50’s women would have good news at end of 2018 November 2018, I think November 30th is as spot on as you can get! She also predicted Brexit 2 years before the vote. Read her blogs. Amber Rudd made me laugh out loud when she was calling Juncker names re his sexist behaviour towards women in EU parliament before Christmas. How blinkered is she about us.? I might just believe that we are going to win Back to 60 now. If the Polish women can get theirs backdated to age 60 then so can we. Believe. Every day I wake up another 22 quid
approx. vanishes into thin air because the government says it should. This week owed approx 20K, not much when you say it slowly eh!

Because that was also brought in in 2011 as part of the austerity measures, as mentioned in this case, then I’m pretty sure that whatever is found to apply to these women will also apply to men affected by the same legislation.

How much notice were you given of a 1 year increase in your pension age? No problem with he equalisation of the SPA. At 58 to be informed that your SPA is now 65 not 60 is very short notice to say the least!

I thoroughly agree Kim.I had no written notice of this surely this is all wrong.I do hope we ALL get a fair pension though.I know some woman are suffering hardship but we should ALL get the pension we expected to receive whatever our circumstances.I have worked hard for mine,and will be 65 this year still working as a nurse.My pension age is 65 and 3/4.

Do you think that is justified. I am in the first cadre of men whose state pension date has changed. I have a 3 month delay from my birthday in December 2018 to March of 2019. But unlike my wife who had a 4 year delay, I believe I was informed, she was not. She also suffered an additional 2 years of delay when the givernment was telling everyone that no woman would have more than 2 years of delay. Not informed and then lied to. That is what this case is about.

How dare they thinks it’s acceptable to not inform all woman of the increased age in their pension for a start.I agree we wanted equality,but this unfortunately isn’t. I had no letter from DWP.
Woman of our age had children and stopped at home.If we went back to work. Mostly woman worked part time.as I always did.No pension for most of us.
I as a nurse have a pension and when I moved to private sector started a private pension as I could afford it.
I cannot imagine the hardship some of you are in at 63 after 30 years with the same employer.They booted me out on ill health,all lies.I took it further with the help of my Union and I cannot disclose the outcome other than to say I am happy. .I then went out after a course offered me from ESA and got another job,
Nearly 18 months on I am ready to retire from a wonderful career on my terms.
I receive my state pension at 65 years and 9 months.
Thank you for all your hard work.

Oh you men are getting interested now and after all the slagging off by men these women have had to put up with calling them money grabbing and only wanting equality when it suits them. Even though they were told by women that it would probably affect them as well and should get on board and support women the abuse continued. I must clarify it was not all men that behaved in this way but a majority did. I am sure all these women would like to thank the men that supported them during this campaign.

I understand how you feel ‘re your partner we should all be treated equally. However, men were given more notice and women were not, plus they do not, even now get equal pay. In the 50s and 60s and 70s women were expected to work and rear family’s as the norm. I have copd I cannot retire now for another 7 years. My state pension is all I will have as I could not afford a private pension. My ex partner and we are still friends has a very healthy pension.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked so hard for this. Have felt isolated, abused and have experienced feelings of self-loathing for not being more aware of event for too long. Being part of something positive has made a huge difference to my outlook. I cannot thank those who protest tirelessly enough.

Just hope the delay in the judicial review does not give the DWP more opportunity to cobble together and magic up some reasoning as to why this group of people have been dealt with in this way.

The hundreds and thousands of postings on your site say it all, it’s wrong to isolate and discriminate a group just so DWP can tick boxes and save money.

Fairness in their decision to hit those born in the 1950’s was a blatant attack on women .

I said before we all understand the necessity for change and cost effectiveness of our systems. I always believe change is a necessity of life but change should be handled in a way that is fair to all. No group should be discriminated against and no one group should take the brunt of any change.

Good luck to you in the review, you have many women watching this with desperation. Wanting a resolution to this ridiculous position they have found themse!ves in.

Time to close borders on immigrants that get paid whopping sums of money, for nothing, I have worked full time & paid full stamp all my working life, went part time while my children were young, but only for one year each (2 children) then back to full time, My Father died at 65,& 2 weeks, he paid all his working life to get 2 weeks pension, where did his pension pot go???? I went 60 in December and I get up to go to work begrudging every morning, so so wrong, hope they sort it for us,xx

My views are the same . They seem to find money . For immigrants and refugees. And all sorts that come to the uk . But it is the uk people that have put in the funding. And we are entitled to have something that we have paid for all our lives

I actually, ,missed my pension by being born !8 days too late for my pension in 2013 ………5 years ago .I still have to wait until March 2019 to receive it. I have worked for 40+years and paid full contributions. Where is the fairness in all of this….I was told when I started work in 1968 that I would receive state pension at aged 60!!! which makes that 2013!!!! where has all the interest gone on my contributions and Pension that I was due 5 years ago????I will tell you…..The damned Tory Government ….we have been propping up this Government for far too long !!! Good news on this ….let’s hope we get some sort of retribution at last… xx

Dee
Very well put , my partner is one of millions of women who have also been failed by this government to pay these women there dues for the last 5 yrs ,that they totally deserve!!.
Shame on the government that they have treated these women with the most inequalities in history and thankyou too all who have supported this and the great legal team who have tremendously worked hard in bring this too justice. I am a trade union official for GMB +12yrs and we all view & fight for women’s rights to be equal and discrimation to be out cast as this is clearly what the government has done!!.

I think the government took its best argument to court in November when they were expecting to win and stop the review being heard, apparently the judge threw out all their reasons so don’t know what they will come up with next if their best was dismissed.

“The issue of maladministration will not be the main feature of the case as this is being dealt with by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Cases of discrimination and resulting hardship can still be brought by MPs to the Ombudsman. And recently Ben Lake, the Plaid Cymru MP for Ceredigion filed a case on behalf of a constituent”

Let’s hope they see the injustice and do the right thing, not just for us but for all of the youngsters who have been forced to either stay on in education or into claiming benefits some into their early 20’s and later before if the are lucky finding “meaningful” employment. Allowing us to retire will give them hope of employment and a future to look forward too.

I cannot thank you all enough for fighting for ALL 50s born women this has had a very serious effect on us all with some of us literally not wanting to go on.Life can be difficult enough but taking financial stability off us is UNBEARABLE

Fingers crossed that something will at last come out of this review. There have been so many debates etc. But the government still are trying to quieten this. Full praise to all the WASPI fighters & now the Backto60.com fighters too. Power to you all 💪

It is not before time, failure of this government and preceding governments to understand the effects this has had on many ladies born in the 50 s . The hardship felt by many of us is beyond comprehension.

A bit disappointed with regards to the extra time the DWP are being allowed to work on their case. They have ruined thousand of peoples dreams of retirement, and certainly contributed to me being on antidepressants for the last few years as I still struggle to come to terms with the way I have been robbed of 6 years pension. Surely before the government made changed and implemented new legislation to the retirement age they would have made sure that their facts and figures were correct at the time, especially when they aware of the thousands of people that their decision would effect and to the extent of the damage mentally and financially they were doing. I personally found out in 2009 that my retirement age had changed, and then in 2012 it changed again, my original retirement date was September 2014, so I had in effect 5 years notice to be told that my retirement age was deferred for 6 years, that is hard for anyone to come to terms with especially when you have worked all your days and complied with all what society expected of you. I have everything X that we will get a fair hearing in May, and a big Thank You to everyone who has supported and helped us get to this stage.

ME TOO…..Because of school closure I am in receipt of a compensation pension. Expecting to fully retire in or near my 60th year, I invested my lump sum as the deposit on a property in France and also released a lot of equity from my property in England in order to complete the purchase. I anticipated, getting the State Pension to top -up my income whilst living in France and that I would be able to do this at around 62. To my horror after complaints from a powerful lobby group, the dates were changed yet again, leaving me considerably worse off ! Instead of getting my State Pension in my 62nd year I now have to wait (if these changes go ahead), until I am 65 yrs 4 months and 12 days. It is wholly unfair that had I been born a year earlier I would receive my S.P. on 6th Jan 2016 ! More than 3 years earlier than 6th July 2019 now scheduled ! As you can imagine I am very much dismayed by this (on top of this, I now have health problems that make working impossible). There must be others in a similar boat and we surely should work hard to get this reversed. I would like to hang the “Nincompoops” who came up with this schedule. I understand the need for change but this is too far too fast !

It’s totally appalling the way we have been treated. When I started work at 14 it was organically we had to have 32 yrs . It has altered some much in recent yrs and none of were told of any of the changes that started altering around 1995 2002 2011 not a 100 % sure of them dates . But round about . Still didn’t have a clue . Until I read it on a waspi bill board in a pub . Just before my 59th birthday. Still haven’t heard anything or confirmation from anyone. It then altered again to 66 . And has altered again if you were born in the second 6mths of the year . They have brought in . I think the dates are feb 9th to Aug 9th and guess what I’m born the 31st Aug . So now my pension date . Has meant I will be 66.5 yrs this is disgusting. When I have full stamps paid in . I will probably be on my last legs by the time I get it a loss of over £50.000 . That’s me alone . And there are 3.8 million people affected. Christ that’s some extra floating money . That they have spent . It’s fraudulent and was supposed to be put in a secured account. But what did they do . Borrowed it was supposedly for one year then 2yrs . And oops they forgot to start it back up . Surely this has got to be unlawful and stealing people’s money . That wasn’t for them to steal or borrow out of . Secured means secured. So they have all be fraudulent in my eyes

I should also have said, that (in common with a lot of other women in similar circumstances) at NO time, was I personally notified of any of the changes made to SPA….I have only made online ‘discoveries’, or in the press……despite the ‘goal posts’ for my age group, being moved TWICE !

I feel robbed as if I wanted to retire at 66 I would be happy to carry on working. BUT I want to retire at 60 and enjoy my grand kids and have a nice life with my family. Now I have no choice I have to work on for another 6 years. We are loosing out on around 40k and I’ve worked all my life never claimed benifits. I feel like stopping work and claiming benifits as some folk who never work get everything handed to them. Hope we win our case I will wait and see.

I agree Jackie, I was expecting everything to fall in line too. Retire at 60 (I’m 64), help out with the grandkids and spend time with my hubby who is 8 years older than me and already retired.Now To enable me to do this I have had to reduce my working hours (losing £300 a month), just to be able to enjoy afternoons with my hubby and do the school run for the grandkids. I too have never been out of work since the age of 15, working full time then as a working Mum taking low paid evening jobs. How is this fair? I won’t get my state pension for another 2 years and quite honestly my heart is not in my work I am just counting down the days. I know we can’t get the time back but let’s fight on Ladies and at least get recognition of this injustice.

Hi Jackie
I am now 64 I was expecting to get my pension at 60 had no notification I have been trying to keep working in a full time job whilst trying to care for my mother with dementia I don’t think that the government realise how many women care for there elderly parents so they don’t have to go in a home surely they can see that by making all these women work longer they in some cases will be having to support a lot of the elderly now when we could have done it if they hadn’t taken away our pensions
Sue

If this Judicial Review goes against 1950s women , can the claims for maladministration be reinstated or revived? Seems that a lot of women put a huge effort into this, for the claims to then be quickly closed down after waiting far too long for responses!

Thank you for this fight on our behalf. I feel so cheated and extremely angry at this ‘legalised theft’. I have worked full time, all my life. I have had no maternity breaks or any benefits in the whole of my life although happily contributed so others could benefit! I was made redundant and took early retirement aged 55 and took this opportunity to care for my very elderly parents. I was counting on my pension at aged 60, having paid in over 40yrs contributions. I have now had to sell my house and downsize. I feel cheated and robbed of the financial security and peace of mind that should be mine. Please help us get the justice we deserve. This situation is appalling!

I really hope that all of us that lost out on our pension at 60years old is overturned the stress that has been put onto woman that who brought up their families and worked it was never easy .I never received a letter and have worked for the same company for over 20years .Thankyou for everything that is being done Kind regards.

I am pleased with the news and very hopefull .. but says retirement age gone from 60 to 65 then 66 so why will I have to wait till I’m 67 I was born October 1955 is scandelouse can’t get a job. it’s the 1st time I’ve ever been out of work and get £73 a week to live on to feed me and pay bills …this can’t come quick enough for me and millions of other women …

I wonder what is meant by, “not being able to, fully ,contribute to the NI fund”? Firstly why couldn’t they? Secondly, the SPA still increased for those women who, definitely, were able to fully contribute to NI, so I don’t see the relevance. I don’t understand this bit, at all, am I missing something?

What about Women born in 1946 Worked until I was 64 from 15 Only paid married woman’s stamp until 1996 But feel cheated and wish I’d just stayed home until my children grew up I’d be better off now only get £82 quid a week It’s a joke NOT

I’m also very grateful to the journalists, politicians, the brave campaigning women of waspi and Backto60, for all their support and hard work. I am recently divorced, struggling to make ends meet. Afraid of a future of poverty, after a lifetime of working. Ex husband is cheating me out of £30k, land in SIPP was bought in 2010 for £150K, he and his SIPP company had a new valuation of £90K. Blatant robbert, but I just heard from the pensions ombudsman that he has not upheld my complaint. These heartless pigs are using their own rulebooks to cheat us.

I don’t understand why they need longer to put together a case. If they had a genuine and legitimate reason to increase rhe pension age, without causing discrimination and inequality, why are they stalling?

My exact thoughts are the same as you . Looking for any excuse to get out of it . Probably re write something in . Or try and look for another loophole. Absolutely appalling service by our government and government services . Which we all put into

I truly hope the injustices are fully recognised and some sort of recompense decided upon. I am 1954 child and although I officially get my pension at 65 it’s only 11 days before my 66th !! Health reasons make my job difficult and painful to do. 2020 can’t come soon enough. I wish Britain would do as has the same as Italy and reverse its decision on pensions..

I’m a 1954 women too, and my retirement date is set for 15th January 2020. And finding it more difficult to carry on working especially when you get older and have health problems. Makes me so bitter I have already done 5 years over and starting feel burnt out.

I was born in 1956 I was totally unaware of this decision being made as the 90’s were busy years for me , but sadly I am now battling cancer with no job and could really use my state pension at this time, thank you all for your support

because I had to wait for my Pension I still have a mortgage which will never be paid off, when our time runs out because of all this we will probably be homeless, so what then, I hope and pray for every body this gets a good result From Helen Sparks in CORNWALL

Fantastic news! I have felt isolated and abused and degraded as being disabled I have been hit twice no pension and put through assessment and told to find work, I did and now my health is worse, trying to get better and have no income whatsoever. I was on Incapacity benefit for 20 years how could they take it away and no pension.

This is great news we have finally got a date for our Second Judicial court review May 24th this couldn’t come any sooner I feel very confident that we will win our fight again because this injustice by this Government is just cruel but also unlawful and it was never about pension Equality because the women born in 50,s never had the same rights as men the men were paid more they also got bigger pensions and still do so hopefully the back to 60 campaign group and Waspi women will finally get they big day court .

as a matter of recourse I would like to ask how any woman can be expected to continue in the industry of care doing minimum wage job whilst aging herself supporting aging parents through lack if social care and to top it off putting themselves into any early grave robbed of pension and then some disgracefully unfair treatment of my generation

The key point is that the judge decided that although the legislation dated back to 1995 the present effects of the change is causing hardship to a specific group of women who were not able to fully contribute to the national insurance fund.

CAN SOMEONE CLARIFY THIS. I WORKED PAYING NI CONTRIBUTIONS UNTIL I WAS MEDICALLY RETIRED AT 58 IN 2012. OVER 40 YEARS CONTRIBUTIONS (17/12/53). WILL FINALLY GET MY PENSION 6 MARCH.

Thank you so much to everyone who has fought this case, I have complained and written to various people but never gotten anywhere, it has been very frustrating, I retired early because working an extra 6 years in elderly care was becoming impossibly difficult. I struggle with a small private pension. Hoping also for a good result.

Wishing your representatives in court all power of inspiration and eloquence to support the cohort of women in the autumn of their years who worked hard and paid their dues only to be cruelly betrayed and singled out as low hanging fruit by a grasping chancellor. Let british justice and fair play rise up as a beacon to our fractured and troubled society.

I was sent a pension forecast in 2013 informing me I was receiving my pension in September 2014, I received no other information as to any change, only found out in the press I wasnt going to receive it for 6 years.

Thank you all who have fought for the many women affected..Although the long wait will give the crooks who don’t want anything positive to happen,chance to come up with obscure laws etc..we still have a date..We were sold down the river,when we started work,we all thought we would retire at 60,possibly if we had known the truth when we started work,we could have made provision.
Actually ir they allow us to retire,we can free up our jobs,help with childcare and give the younger ones a chance..Not rocket science…
Once again thank you to those amazing people who fight for us..

This was absolutely disgraceful. Having worked hard from the age of 15 expecting that I would receive my State pension at the age of 60,Paid into the System and never claimed any benefits from the State in my entire life. Just feel that I have been swindled out of 6 years of pension which has caused intolerable hardship and extreme stress. If all people are expected to work until they drop dead – how do the youngster get a start in life. No job, no hope, no prospects and no start on the property ladder ? I don’t put the blame on an ageing population but this over crowded Island where all aspects of life are now becoming untenable.

I am so pleased this is being addressed. I have worked for a longer period than i planned due to this change in legislation. I recently retired . If I had been receiving my state pension now also life would be so much easier. I know I do not suffer like some of my peers financially but this is total discrimination directed at women.

I just hope it goes our way I’m struggling going to work now I was born in 1954 what is so unfair is that we are still paying into the system national insurance I feel we have been robbed of our money just let younger people have our jobs and let’s us enjoy some retirement

my heartfelt thanks to all who have worked so hard to get this heard. the way the government robbed us of £44,0000 plus. after paying full stamp back in the seventies. my health is such I can no longer work. I have to rely in my husband’s pension and our lifestyle has changed dramatically. having my state pension at 60 would of made a huge difference to our finances. thank you once again

Give work to the youngsters let us oldies have our time of living we don’t know what’s round the corner I’ve lost 4 friends over the last year and all they had in life was work , just because retirement age went up

Pauline this is exactly my argument, they would rather pay young people Jobseeker’s Allowance (or whatever it’s called these days ) than pay the women their rightful pension owed to them. Obviously this has a knock on effect on the young people, the longer they are unemployed the harder it is for them to gain employment and as we women get older we find it harder to keep up the momentum of full time work. Like many others I am a 1954 woman who worked full time from 15 until 61 when I had to sell my house because I couldn’t afford my mortgage and living costs. This situation took away my independence and a home I had lived in for 22 years and yes I feel angry, and bitter but most of all betrayed so I wish you good luck for all of the 50’s women at the hearing!!!!!

I am 65 in November 2019 don’t get my pension until 2020 !!! Plus none of my late husbands pension either as they have changed the rules on that too. Look after my 83 year old mother in law…my late hubby was an only child…..help out with grandchildren when I can plus work part time. Not how i thought my life would be at this age but at the moment in decent health so count my blessings and carry on.

I retired on I’ll health just after my 60th birthday I was born in 1951. After giving notice to my employer I was told I would not get my pension for a further 18mths. I feel cheated out of 18mths worth of pension. Others I’m sure found themselves in the same position.

I’m the same birthday March but September for pension what gets me mad also is men get bus pass earlier in line with women’s pension date and yet we have to wait they got the bus pass as it was unfair to them well what about us

Hope something comes out of this!!!!! Not only have we had increase in years, the amount of years for N.I. have changed considerably, I was told I had enough qualifying years at 30yrs. N.I. now it is 43 yrs!!!! We should have had some sort of support to help
with the 6yr gap, Mrs. May was on about 2yr transition for BREXIT, we got NOTHING
for 6yrs!!!!!!!!!

I was diagnosed last year with M E i am now 62, I was working full time before this happened but had to decrease to 20 hours but as I am on the sick Again I have realised even 20 hours a week is too much. It is SO UNFAIR!!!!!

This is brilliant news I like many women didn’t mind the pension age rising however, to put six years on without any notification plud I like many others have worked since I was 16 with the plan of getting my state pension at 60 This is disgusting The increase should be phased in I wouldn’t have minded two or 2.5 years but to add six years on is heartbreaking 😢

Fantastic News . I have worked full time employment from the age of 16 And retired at 60 due to me having to care for my Mother. Obviously my pension would be a great help for the care that my Mothet deserves. There must be a lot of people like me. I have also experienced ill health myself so I would love to be able to enjoy my pension that I have worked for. Please Please let us win .

I totally agree..if they even gave it to women who have enough stamps paid at age 60 it would make a big difference to so many..I also worked from I was 16…was made redundant 2 years ago and should have been getting my pension this November aged 60… it makes you wonder why we have all worked so long and hard as people who never worked seem to be able to get other benefits which I couldn’t get..and will continue to receive benefits while women who contributed for 40 yrs have to wait an extra 6 yrs… disgusting….typical Northern Ireland and uk….other countries look after their people with decent pensions especially those have put in the years..

This is great news for us waspi women thankyou so much i felt like the forgotton passenger that was left behind because the ship.was full.
Iam 64 and im workingv48 hrs per week with copd and arthritis and osteoarthritis .
I would love to help.my daughterinlaw with childcare so she can go back to.uni but i cant afforrd to.

Woohoo! Let’s get justice done! We have been robbed by criminals for thousands of pounds! These criminals are politicions who know the law and have lined their own pockets with our hard earned cash which is theft and a criminal offence. Hang them high !!!!!

I had planned to retire at 60 now 62 and not been well enoght to work, I got £73 a week sick for a year now nothing, I have paid in and worked for 45 years and get nothing from the state, there is no point in working as your entitlement is nothing, if you own your own house and have savings… This country doesn’t care about the workers just the immigrants and scroungers…

Snap same thing happened to myself. So now I have to live on what ever my hubby gives me
And all though am in a lot of pain most of the time is seriously thinking of looking for a little job. This country don’t like after the likes of us

You are fully entitled to feel aggrieved about the Government stealing your pension but this nothing to do with“ immigrants or scrounges”. Just consider the Windrush generation who came to work, paid their contributions, were fully entitled to live here but were then deported unjustly with no compensation. Those people you classify as scroungers may also have been treated badly; the Government readily penalises people who are claiming benefits – miss an appointment and you get penalised by loss of benefit for a minimum of 6 weeks or 6 months. Many have died very shortly after having their benefit claims removed when they are unable to attend an interview due to serious ill health. There may be a tiny amount of people who are claiming falsely, but the amount of money lost, about £1bn pa is nothing in comparison to the amount of tax evaded or avoided and the amount spent chasing the £1bn loss outweighs the amount lost.
Please recognise WASPI women are all part of an attack by the same system that takes from the weakest to reward the richest.
Well done to all of those behind the WASPI campaign.

Well done, lets hope something gets done about it, I am disgusted about waiting 6 years for the money that is rightfully mine. I worked full time 39 to 55 hours a week for 37 years with no break. I left work on ill health and now live on £100 per week, my private pension. As I was too proud to ask for sick pay thinking I was getting my state pension at 60. We paid money into our state pension during our working career so how can they legally not pay it us, withholding it for 6 years.It is criminal injustice.

I sincerely hope this appalling decision is turned around …it is a gross injustice .i am 60 and have worked for the NHS since I was 16 with only 11 weeks maternity break .I too have failing health with osteoarthritis and would dearly like to reduce my working hours but have to work until I’m 66 to benefit from state pension .thank you to all those working tirelessly to upturn this

I am 64 years old and I am so grateful that this has been brought to the fore. I am working with people that got their pension at 60yrs old. I do not feel any ill will to them personally . Obviously….. but I feel let down after working all my life and no sign of being able to retire. This is so unfair and MUST be changed. 😡

So glad something is getting done at last and the government have to answer to the people they robbed that money was ours paid in by us and our employees not the governments to do as they please I was given no warning read it in the papers then I had to give my work up to care for my husband struggled week to week I am 65 on 17th Jan still don’t get my pension till May robbed of another 6 months so well done to everyone who has campaigned to get us heard cant wait for the outcome

Wonderful news and a great achievement for all those people who have been campaigning so long for justice for us 50s women who have not only been cheated out of our pensions but our quality of life as many of us are working with health problems and will have no quality of life after retirement after having worked for 50 years. Maybe we can use some of the 39 billion we may save in not paying the EU to help pay our stolen pensions back.

Fantastic news. I am missing out on 46k in pensions. This is just another way of getting back money from the tax payers. I have worked hard all my life. And this is how the Department of work and pensions treat us.

Hi everyone..😊..I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this herd. I was born in 1959 and I will receive my pension at age 66. I’ve read that a lot of women were born around 1954 so does this mean I won’t be counted as one of you 1950’s ladies. I always thought that I would receive my pension at age 60 and I was never told the age had gone up to 66..🥺..I’m a little lost on the knowledge of all this pension stuff and would appreciate any reply’s to my question.

I also was born in 1954 and have worked full time since the age of 16. I am on my own and could not afford to stop working. I have now worked full-time for 50 years and long to retire to get a rest. I did everything right to retire at age 60 and enjoy retirement but I was robbed and cheated of what should be my money and time.

I was born in 1955 and won’t get my state pension until I’m 66. I have a few health issues and have given up work. I don’t claim any benefit from the government. My husband passed away at the age of 60 (5 years ago) having worked all his life and paying National Insurance. He never got to receive his pension that he had worked and paid for and to top it all the government have done away with Widows Pension so I’ve basically been screwed over twice! I’m living on my savings and a very small private pension from my late husband which was supposed to be for my retirement and give me a comfortable life in my later years. This now won’t last me until I get my pension as I still have 2 and a half years left to go.

A very big thank you for helping to try for some compensation. I have worked full time since age 15 in 1969 and cannot retire until May 2020. I also look after 2 autistic grandchildren. I feel like I have been mugged by our government. I am well aware of the effects of Welfare Reform as I am a Welfare Rights Specialist. I am unable to attend protests due to work commitment but a very big thank you to those who do on all of our behalfs

What about the vast number of women who were advised to switch from ‘A’ stamp to the ‘B’ stamp on returning to work after having their families. They were told that they would receive a lesser but instead they received a pittance! They were sold down the river. Its always the women that suffer yet again!!!

Thank you to everyone involved in getting this so far. Micheal Mansfield was never shy of a fight either. After working continuously since I was 14 years old and now in my 61st year I could really do with a gap year or 6. I am going to share the hell out of this for those who dont know. We have more than earned this, shame on those who stole that which we earned

I had to retire early from illnesses and can’t work I was born 1955 and did no now I could not get my pension at 60 till I phoned and ask I can’t cope money wise and don’t see why we have to suffer I worked as nurse for many years

This is fantastic news!! I am hoping and praying that the law will change; Like lots of women born in the fifties, I have worked from the age of 16 years, apart from bringing up my two children until the commenced full time education. I have more than paid my dues. Roll on the 24th May!!

People born in the 50s have been robbed. A lot of us have and still are working. We have worked all our lives. Too have put retirement to 66 we have lost thousands. The normal working class always suffer. They want us to work until wee drop.

Great news for all women,not just those like myself who were born in the 50’s the age should never have been raised in the first place,if they wanted men and women to be the same then the pension age should have dropped to 60 for everyone,after all those making the decision to raise it in the first place are able to retire early with a good pension and a golden handshake……

So hopeful through all the hard work of the W.A.S.P.I team that we eventually reach a victory ,myself and two of my colleagues who work in social care are 61 62 and 63 we struggle each day to continue as we work in a very physical and mentally demanding job with arthritis , back problems even cancer we have to struggle on .Through years of helping others are now paying the price in more ways than one .we have worked from being 15 we have paid our dues we deserve to retire !!

well done.. I was born in 59.. I still have no idea what my retirement age is,, thought it was when I reached 67!!!! I hope not.. im 60 in april and worn out now.. what with working and coming home to cooking dinner.. washing and housework.. hoping we get good news.. thank you

I am unaware of your circumstances relating to your health problem, but have you tried for attendance allowance. This is not a means tested benefit so it cannot be based on your financial position. If you awarded it, it will allow you to have free prescriptions for medicine, eye tests and dentistry. As for your immigration point, there is already a system in place for workers from the EU to claim their Pensions only on the years that they have worked in UK.
On the other hand there is the problem of British Nationals bringing their parents across from other countries is a hot potato which Parliament and the Law have giving varying interpretations. Maybe a solution would be to increase the contributions of those who bring their parents to the UK and tell the Indian government to spend more on their pensioners than their space programme.

Great news for all the women who have really suffered due to this discrimatory legislation. Having worked full time from the age of 16, I was due to receive my pension in December 2012 at age 60. I did not receive it until September 2015 (not as bad a wait as some others) but when I DID finally receive it, my Carers Allowance for looking after my late husband was stopped. Apparently I was not entitled to receive both of those ‘benefits’. That was when I realised our pensions we worked & paid for all our working lives, are now classed as ‘benefits’. Adding insult to injury!

Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into,this. I am a 1957 baby and should get my pension at 60, I also feel it was so wrong, again if they have put the pension age up in increments such as saying I would have to work until 61 fine but to add five years on was disgraceful.
Here’s wishing success to all us 1950s ladies

Thank you, thank you, thank you,
for supporting us, keeping us informed and all the hard work and fundraising by all.
I’m a 1954 born, I get my pension on 6th May 2019, I will be 65yrs and nearly 4months. It’s been a long hard slog. I will have paid 50yrs of NI contributions by the time I get my pension!
I am lucky in as much as I am still healthy, but that could all change tomorrow, so many are suffering not only financially but also in bad health and being forced to continue working.
For all 1950’s born, I really, wish you all a positive outcome. I also hope the pension age goes back to 60 for all other women, we are NOT living longer, we are tired at 60, we have given enough of ourselves by 60, worked hard, cared for parents, partners, children and grandchildren, kept house, and need a well deserved rest by 60. Good Luck everybody. ❤️

Good news… shame the review date has been move from January to May.I am 64 yrs old still working full time ,also extra an 20 hrs per week.Under current S/P age of 66 I will have to continue to work a further 18 months. I do wonder if I can continue to do so.

I had to wait till I was 63 and7 months to get my pension it’s a discrase I worked and paid for my pension and so did my boss. The government gave me nothing so why are they allowed to steel our money. If this was a private pension they would be in prison for fraud

I know Wendy, it is disgusting. Some of our Ladies stories should never have happened. It’s not just the money for me, and I’m sure for many more, it’s the time we will never get back. My favourite saying for some time now has been ‘live every day as though it could be your last’. Every day the odds of this happening get lower. These years should be for doing the things we planned for and dreamed about, whatever this may be for the individual, but how can we do this, with little or no spare money! I feel as if I am becoming very bitter and angry about this, getting worse as every day passes!

JUSTICE is on the way !!!!
Mr Michael Mansfield and Team is going to see that the Scales of Justice are finally brought to a
Head because the
Governments stubborn words
NOT LISTENING for the past 5 years to anything us Women are
Saying has been a total SIN for all the 60s Women
So May 2019 will be another day in the HISTORY BOOKS
Mr Mansfield Thank you

Wonderful news.. brings hope to many.. let justice prevail…
Hard working honest and caring women have been hung out to dry…
They have been ignored in the name of equity.. where was the equality when we worked in jobs, the very same jobs as men but paid less just because we are women?
Yes we wanted to be treated equal…but how is this equal…?

I found out a few weeks before my 60th birthday that I would not receive my pension. I had paid full NI from being a teenager and lost my income on the day I turned 60. When my MP wrote to complain on my behalf, he received a reply stating that no woman had her pension date put back more than 18 months. Funny how that equates to me not getting my pension until I am 65 years 11 1/2 months old. Nearly six years! To add insult to injury, my contributions are already at the level required to receive the maximum pension amount.
What is also not mentioned in reports, is that those 1950s women who receive disability benefits, desite having some income, are still at least £30 a week worse off than they would be if receiving the pension that they expected to receive. Disabled women who cannot work being deprived of money they worked hard for and contributed to for their lives.

None of this has been done fair as when I was off work having a baby I wasent aloud to add to my pension. If I didn’t earn enough I couldn’t add to pension so I have nothing. Let’s hope its better for next generation. Thank you for trying

I am a 50’s woman (sept 55) and had to leave my job due to ill health, I should be receiving my pension, bought and paid for by me, not struggling. I never intended to leave work at 60 (pushed out at 61) as I liked working. But now I have no option I need my pension not penury. Hope they can’t wriggle out of paying us now. Well done to all the fighters!

We have been cheated make no mistake about that. I did receive a letter stating the changes to be made in 2012, I was then 58 years old. I found it impossible to continue till 66, I made it to 63. I have had to sell my house to fund the intervening years until I am eligible for my state pension. I feel angry frustrated and cheated beyond belief. I’m also one of the lucky ones, there are women who have no financial support whatsoever. Shame on this government.

Special hardship to women born between Oct 1953 and Oct 1954. A female born exactly 1year before me received her state pension at age 63 years 2 months and 10 Days . I will get my state pension at 65years 6months and 11days. A female exactly one year younger than me will get her state pension on her 66th birthday. People born in 1956 , 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 will also get their state pensions on their 66 birthdays. I have had my state pension age changed 4 times and was not given 10 years informed notice. 1953/1954 woman have been severly discriminated against .

Same as me .March 1954 ladies effected the worse can’t understand how it was calculated for all ladies born in the 50’s also if you worked for local council and took option of paying into a pension that also suddenly altered no warning would that happen if the company was private?

I wasn’t aware of this until I went to my local Council to apply for a Bus Pass and was told that I 16mths ago and was told I can’t apply because the retirement age for someone who was born in 1957 had gone up.
Then a few weeks later I was listening to the Breakfast News on the television and they were talking to a couple Women who were part of the Campaign group.
I was totally shocked by what lengths the Government is going to.
For someone who has worked and raised my children has a Single Mum until I met my late Husband who died of Advanced Prostate Cancer.
Then was made Compulsory redundant a year later after his death.
Then my health deteriorated and I now have spondylolistheses, arthritis, borderline diabetic (strong family history) and high blood pressure.
To be told that I am not able to have my pension until 65 was another blow to the system.
I really wish that justice will prevail with this unjust Government.
I really hope that the age is reverted back to 60 not just for myself but for all the Women who have worked really hard and have contributed to this Country in more ways than one.

This is good news l am one of the women effected and who knew about this legislation agreed in 1995 . Having been through a divorce in 2002 l was totally unaware until 2012 as knowing this l would of reviewed the financial situation differently ascam sure many women of my age would of done so . I have paid in excess of £40,000 into this scheme and feel l have been totally robbed of my hard earned money . It’s the injustice of all the women effected . Relying on there health to keep going. Thanks to everyone who has campaigned tirelessly throughout this campaign .

I was born in 1960 and feel resentful that I now have to work all these extra years. I am tired and also feel we are job blocking younger people entering the workforce.
My husband is older than me. Had retirement age remained as it was, I would have retired a year after him. Now he will be 73 before I can retire. He isn’t in the best of health now, I can practically see all our retirement plans disappearing before my eyes.

Your retirement pension take many years to plan and we have been faced with handling too many inconsistent changes made too quickly by the government. I feel robbed! Thank you for all your hard work to try and rectify this injustice.

Not sure why DWP need more time, surely they have their case prepared as they implemented the changes in the beginning ? Not only have 50s woman lost out on state pension they lost out on occupational pension years as well. When I started work, unlike men we had to wait two years before being allowed into company pension scheme, shafted by both!!!

Excellent news I hope some form of compensation will be paid to1953 Men and Women onwards.
Let us hope that the age of retirement is reduced for both sexes to a realistic age.and that everyone will receive their state pension.
I would like to thank everyone for the work they have undertaken in bringing this case to judicial review.

Thankyou for all the people that have worked on this cause. Being ‘up North’ I’m not able to go to any demonstrations, but am with everyone in spirit (I’m a 1959’er) and I spread the word of all you good people. I remember being notified about 14 years ago, my pension age had gone to 63 (which I disgruntily accepted) BUT then it moved to 66. I know the nearer I get to 66, it will most probably move again (!) They are wanting to eventually change it to 70 (I used to work with the dreaded dwp!) So this June (when 60) I could calculate how much I should have been getting up to the new qualifying of 66 (6 years at the moment of tying this!) I have stopped working (through another reason) and so will get less pension at 66, due to also not contributing 6 years. especially as I have worked the qualifying years (that were previously set) so more money saved in the dwp coffers. It really doesn’t seem right. So a really big thank you for everyone. I hope it reaches a good an fair result for our decade.

Wonder why this has been put back!!!could this be an onimous sign of the way things might be going!!! Makes me think the other side are are going to dig in deep to win their case, surely this is a set back for us!

I am so glad that we have a review I worked for Remploy we lost our jobs they never told us i could not retire until I was 64 and 5 months and took 44 thousand pounds off my pension plus took my job I started work at 15 in the August then worked till I was made redundant then told I would not get my pension I and my friends who were all born in 1053 feel robbed they took our national insurance and made a agreement to pay a pension when we reach 60 then 3 years before my due date to receive my pension I am told you will not receive what you paid into I call that theft no matter which way you look at it so THANK YOU so much for all that you are doing to help the the people who have but there trust in all the government and have been so LET DOWN by them and the lady above should be ashamed to say she hope that this is not the case thank you again for your help we need people like you

I am almost 63 years old and have been homeless now for 7 months, due to the fact my husband, a physio with a well known football team, upped and left me with huge debts, accrued when his team weee 10 months in administration and I fully supported us both financially during this time! I entered trust deed after he left, but he then forced sale of our matrimonial home and my share of proceeds were taken to repay debts! If I had my pension it would go a long way financially in helping me to afford a roof over my head! I also have a private pension I also cannot claim on! I am working full time and still struggling financially! Us 50’s women have worked long and hard for many years, only for our very own government to stab us in the back and virtually steal our pensions, our future, our independence, away from us! It’s abuse in the most strongest, horrific form!! We deserve better!!

I was born in April 1960, with current retirement age 66 years and 1 month. So not only an increase to 65 but a further year and 1 month. Good luck and let’s hope any victory is proportioned accordingly.

I am 60 next week and when I started work at 16 was told I would get my state pension at 60. I have worked all my life apart from 6 months off after having my two children, I am an insulin diabetic for 50 years and my health is failing, but have to work another 6 years. I think it’s di Agustin. Even my husband says it’s wrong that his state pension has gone from 65 to 66 ( 1 year) and women’s have now gone from 60 to 66 ( 6 years).
Thanks Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Bet your wives don’t have to work until 66

Could it be they’re DESPERATELY searching for ‘evidence’, Jane? Evidence, that is, which doesn’t exist, as they did NOT inform us, deliberately, knowing the impact of this would be Beyond Huge. They knew, even before the 1995 Act became Law that most women earned around £300,000 less than a man, due to majority of us being Mothers and/or Carers for our parents and in-laws…and some were concerned that this would impact us even more deeply, financially. KNOWING this, Clarke and Major went ahead and destroyed our lives anyway…..

Thankyou for all those fighting on our behalves. I am a 63 year old widow after getting £2500 lump sum now get £100 a month widows’ pension. Have been cheated out if around £42000. Worked since I was 17
until 61 need my pension now

Thank you so much. I was born in January 1955, have to wait an extra six years for my pension with no notice whatsoever. I’m self-employed but with no work at the moment, little energy and still two years to go I don’t know how I’m going to survive. NIC for 48 years so far!

OMG!! Please god give us our pension which I have paid into for over 42yrs +.I don’t work now, have no husband living hand to mouth. I get no benefits only 25% off council tax. I am worried sick about the future. I have to wait another 2yrs to get my pension. Yet people come to OUR country and get every benefits going i can’t get my head round that!!

Thank you so much for all your support to all our 50’s people. I was born in 1956 and have to wait until 2022 before I get my state pension. I am still working and have been working since I was 15 paying “full stamp” with a six year break when I had my children. I now suffer with Osteoarthritis in both thumbs which limits what I can do at work. Good luck with the judicial review in May and thank you again.

Thank you for fighting for us. I was told eighteen months before I was sixty that I wouldn’t be getting anything until 65. I had to lie about my age to get another job working with violent and abusive kids . A job I did until I was 65 . I feel I should have been given more warning. I understand the government is under pressure from all sides but I had to give up my job six months before my pension age as I physically couldn’t do all the driving and the 15 hour shifts. I came off the road at one point. If circumstances could have been taken into consideration then that would have been more humane. I’m lucky I’m very fit and active. Others are not as lucky as me.

Thank you David and the rest of your team. We are one step closer to getting our just dues. We are living off my husbands pension because I cannot get a job, our lifestyle has changed and our savings are deminishing fast. Thank you for all your doing for us and keep up the good work. Looking forward to May.

I was born in 1955 and gave up working in August 2017 due to exhaustion. But unable to access state pension till I reach 66 years in 2020. My occupational pension had also been changed so was in line with state pension age so in order to take it early and have at least a small income I was forced to take a reduced pension; so a double whammy! Also still having to pay NI contributions to ensure I get as much of full state pension as possible. Feels like being hit 3 times. Was not informed of changes to state pension age, only found out because of information via occupational pension when we were informed that age of retirement for women members was being changed and then then for all members changed again and put even further away.

And so it should go back to 60.When my husband and i first got married he was 4 and half years older than me.Now he is retired and
Im still out working.I have been working since I was 16 and feel that we should’ve finished together.I will be keen to read more about this.How good would that be for everybody if they could overturn the decision.

Thank you
I was born 1956 and have worked since I was 15
I have suffered serious illness in the last few years and I have had to carry on working through it.
I am very tired and not due to retire till 2022
I am on my own and find working life very hard now
But thank you for trying to sort this for all of us

I woke this morning aching all over from working last night. I have worked since the age of 15. Had two years off for the birth of my girls only. Nursed all my family through to end of life and still doing it today with my only remaining aunt and uncle 88 & 89, school run with grandchildren which I should be enjoying but I am 63 nearly and well and truly worn out but reading this had given me a glimmer of hope . Thankyou so much x

Pleased to see that a date has been set, but its later than what I was expecting. I am now 62 already worked 2;years more than I wanted to, with another 4 to go. Let’s hope that justice is done and we can get back to where we should be and not working another 4 years!!

So glad that someone is fighting for the women that was born in the 50s, I myself was in 1955 and was hoping to retire with my husband but will have to work until I am 66 is this the way that the government hope that a lot of women will not reach retirement, so they do not have to pay .i have worked from the age of 15 and always had jobs that involve hard physical work and now have problems with Standing ,but I still have to work as I cannot afford to give up and live just on my husband pension,I find it a very unfair system for women we are still being treated as 2nd class people thankyou

I payed 36 years into my pension but only received my pension when I was 61 which is a total sum of £12,000 Lost y I paid all that money over they didn’t pay me back did they.
I know it’s only one year if I feel so sad for the people who had to wait 5 years 10 years so sad this government is the biggest piece of garbage I’ve ever known.

Many, many thanks to everyone for fighting for us 50’s women. My friend of the same age as me is terminally ill. She campaigned with me to get signatures to present to our MP about this utterly terrible injustice to us ladies. Thank you and good luck. Also, I would like to know why the DWP were given more time to present their case. It is the government that are the perpetrators not us.

Great news at least we will be heard and show we are not prepared to roll over without a fight! On my own working and looking after a dependent relative. What should and is a joy helping to support my daughter with her baby is exhausting. I wanted to be able to make the most of my later years, instead I’m a wreck with no way out. Thank you from bottom of my heart for trying on our behalf

I was born in December 1956 so have had my retirement age upped twice (60 to 65 then to 66). I have always worked – no children so no bred. I am the proud owner of three artificial joints and am riddled with arthritis in other joints I could do with retiring whilst i can still get around (just!). I would like to spend some time with my retired husband before I pop my clogs!

Well done and as a victim of this ridiculous situation, I am fully supportive of the campaign . I am 63, 64 in August, I have worked full-time since I was 15. I have been a support worker for the last thirty years and have back ,knee and finger problems from the wear and tear of the job. I am literally exhausted. I need to work as I still have a mortgage. But I could manage if I had my state pension,as well as my works pension.

Thank you so much for all your hard work I was born Oct 1954 and worked since I was 15 We waited 10 years for our 1st Grandson and they moved to be nearer work so we did too to take on the role of childcare I gave up work thinking I would get my pension at 60 Now I have to be 66 so we live off my Husbands pension and savings This makes life very hard.Lets hope Justice is done.

Thank you everyone involved for their hard work I feel the government has let us down badly feel cheated out of my pension after working my whole life looking forward to it at 60 as everyone does! Keep up the good work!😘

Such good news. Consecutive governments have robbed us women of our rightful pensions, I will be 1 month short of 66 when I receive my pension and presently live off my husbands pensions, I am luckier than women on their own who have had unimaginable struggles it’s a disgrace. Justice will prevail

I was born in 1962 and like a previous comment when my husband and I married (he is 4 years older than me) we had planned to retire together,him at 65 me at 60,that choice has been taken away from us,not only is it an extra 5 years more than expected it is now the case that I am going to have to wait until I am 67.I have worked since I was sixteen and payed my national insurance,where’s the fairness in this???I do hope justice is done and not just for women born in the 50s but also for us women born early 60s .

Thank you l had to give up work due to ill health a year ago and it seems to be happening to my friends who have worked long and hard all of our lives. For any income you have to fight go to tribunals which usually are not in our favour I hope this is one you can win for us and I can stop relying on my low paid female partner to keep a roof over our heads and start doing things I dreamed of in my pasture years

I was born in 1958, I worked from aged 16 to 18 then travelled with my then husband for four years, had two children then worked from the age of 24 – 54 then unfortunately due to chronic kidney disease had to medically retire and take my NHS pension early which I invested wisely to give me a small income but could not survive financially without my husbands income, I know I am luckier than some but my state pension at 60 would have made my life more comfortable

I would like to say good luck as I’m a 50s baby who started work at 15 and still working under duress and through ill health.
In 4 years I’ve had 3 prolapse operations due to my job in a very busy sandwich shop
I’m only part time but even that is hard work keeping my job going.
My body is telling me I need to retire at 63 but cannot afford too.
Instead I’m having to work until I’m 66 thanks to the government.
I really hope and pray something is done for all us 50s ladies who have been cheated out of a lot of retirement money.
Wishing you all the best 👍🏼

Thank god that finally us women born in 1950s are going to get some justdice for being robbed by this Tory government, we got no notice this change would be taking place, this is not a handout or benefit we are asking for, its our entitlement that we have paid for all our working life, were has the money gone that we paid in ? .

I was born in June 1955 and am now aged 63 and a half. I have just lost my beloved Mum, who would have been 98 this coming March 2019. I lost my dear Dad 10 years ago so Mum has lived on her own independantly, with help from myself and my Son, in the modest family home on a single person pension since that time.
I have worked full time since 16 years of age in various jobs and have latterly taken a couple of months off work to support Mum at home with increasing fraility, and then following a stroke, visit her in hospital, then her discharge and subsequent transfer to a Care Home, as she sadly faded day by day. Now feeling bereft having to deal with the aftermath and making arrangements following her passing. I do feel bitter that by the Government having raised Retirement age for myself until 2021, that I have been unable to afford to be with my Mum for the last couple of years of her life. An injustice indeed, which needs righting as soon as possible. The Government cannot have it all ways. One tries to maintain a healthy lifestyle while travelling to and fro to work on a full time basis , whilst supporting elderly parents, is very tiring and has taken its toll. Like many, I look forward to hearing how this matter will be resolved going forward and wish everyone in a similar position to myself the strength to carry on in the meantime.

I was born in May 1953 and was looking forward to retirement in 2013, however six months before my 60th Birthday I was told I had to work a further three and a half years. Apparently I was born one month too late!!!
It was a struggle to continue working due to stress at work and had to finish working a year before receiving my pension.

I had to give up work in 2009 age 54 to look after my husband who has had a stroke, because I was the main earner as husband was already medically retired I lost out on earnings as well. Had to take a hit to take company pension early. Husband too old to go on PIP as he was 65 so no financial help other than attendance allowance and carers allowance. Then was told in 2011 that my state pension age had been increased yet again. I was and still am not in any position to do anything about increasing my earnings. We are now having to live on our dwindling savings which is what we have worked all our lives for.

Here is hoping this case will be dealt with fairly and all us 1950s women get back what we are all entitled too. It has been Disgraceful how we have been robbed of what we have paid into the system. and to still be having to pay National insurance at 64 yrs of age until retirement at 66.

Thank you so much I’m alost 64 and I am working 12 hour shifts im finding it really hard working my body is knackered with arthritis I’ve worked all of my life only to be told I have to work until I’m 66 nearly 67 before I get my pension this is so unfair
Wasn’t it that men retired at 65 women at 60 to make way for younger people to get our jobs

Thank you for continually fighting for our pension rights. It been a long time in coming this far. But I believe in every one. Who his fighting for our rights. Due not being informed, so many have suffered hardships. Through ill health and not being able to receive there pension. Also having to continue to work. With health related problems well into our 60’s is not right!

Thank you for supporting all of 50s born women who have been so disastrously affected by change in pension age.
Brought in by stealth by coalition government, this has had major devastating financial implications for those affected, myself included.
I wont go into personal details except to say, had I been informed much, much earlier, I would have had detailed information at my fingertips in order to make informed career choices.
I have worked all my life and now find myself at age 65 in hardship and not even attaining the basic state pension of £150 pw. All because the government did not make change in pension age/subsequent effects to the general public freely available.
It is my opinion that I should have been made aware of changes in plenty of time to put in place appropriate measures. To put me personally, and all 50s women generally, into financial hardship after a lifetime of NI contributions and through no fault of their own, is most clearly a case of maladministration.

first, i have to say thank you very much for your fight for 50s women .i was born in 57 now 62 worked since 15 years old paid my taxes and insurance have been medically retired since i was 51 so am not fit to work now never mind till i am 67 it just beggars belief that the person who introduced this policy has him self retired at 61 it is cruel and unjust

Well done for all the hard work that the back to 60 and the waspi woman have done. I wrote to the DWP and My local MP but nothing. Well are all asking for what we are due. I left my work at 62 due due to me losing my job through council cut backs. The Gave me alternate jobs but the jobs were changed 5 times in 3 years. The last job was totally one I was never train for. I not retraining at 62 and had to leave due to stress and Ill health. I look after my 85 year old mother and grandchildren. The Government are a disgrace treating hard working woman. Well done and I hope we win the case. They DWP owe me alone £44,000 pounds of my money that I paid since I was 17.

Fantastic News! I am 65 this year and paid NI for 40 years but have to wait till I’m 65 and 9 months to receive my pension in March 2020. Meantime my husband who only lived and worked in the UK for 20 years, turned 65 this year Has been notified that his starts this March!! A farce.

Thank you so much for fighting for us all. I was born in 1953 and was told by a friend of a friend that my retirement age was going from 60 to 65 a few months before I should of retired. I have worked since I was 15.
Keep up the good work and fingers crossed you win this case for all who have been cheated out of their pension.

I started earning for myself at age 10 with a lowly paper round followed by saturday/holiday work until I entered the workplace proper, aged 16. I worked and contributed to society until I was 60 and could no longer work due to various disabilities. I am now in the position of having to wait until I am 66 before I can get my hard earned state pension. To add insult to injury I am having to fight the DWP for PIP because of assessors who have told blatant lies to prevent me from receiving my correct benefits. I feel like I have been sold down the river by a society I have worked so hard for. I do hope justice will prevail!!

I pleased to hear this as someone who has a letter saying what my pension would be at 60 and was planning to retire then. I am now 64.5 and still working and have worked from the age of 15. I am finding more difficult with the health conditions I have. The raising of the pensio age from 60, to 64 (in my case) I was aware of, but I was never informed of the rise to 66. Thankfully I am fortunate in that 6 months was taken off 66 so my retirement date is no 6 January 2020.

I am not happy having to wait till I’m 66 I have worked since I was 15 always paid in and income tax now at nearly 62 could be doing with my state pension to help me in my later years it’s a real hardship having to struggle for the next 4 years this is most unfair to my generation

This is fantastic news.
Please publicise anything that individuals can do to maximise the chances of this succeeding. And thanks so much to all who have pushed for this.
It is only when you are actually experiencing the negative effects of having to work till 66, maybe with health problems, or wanting to reduce hours a little but can’t afford to, that you really understand how unfair this is.
Friends just a little older were able to retire at 60 or boost their state pensions by leaving them in 2 or 3 more years with the option of retiring when they needed to.
I love my job but am in physical pain from arthritis every day. I’m not the only one!

Thank you for all your work in supporting all the women who have suffered such a grave injustice. I was born in 1955 and worked since 15. I had breast cancer and continued to work until recently when I became unwell at 63. We even sold our home. I have been worried out of my mind at least now you have given so many hard working women a voice. Bless you x

Cear Mr David Hencke, there are high rumours on social media that returning officers (the admin of elections) have been warned to prepare for a snap general election. As there are local elections on 2 May 2019, that could mean there is no government in place as a general election has been set. But surely the lawyers are for the Department of Work and Pensions, who will still be working, even though the politicians are not in place. The Prime Minister remains until the result of the general election.

Do you endorse future policy, by endorsing Grey Swans 8 pension demands into the next Labour government, please, which include state pension payment age 60 for men and women the same in Labour’s election manifesto, please?

You do not need to retire to claim your pensions.

Another Grey Swans pensin demand is full works pension age of 50 for men and women.

Grey Swans 8 pension demands are similar / same as the pension demands by the socialist Yellow Vest Protestors in France.

I, as admin Grey Swans, will be Grey Swans static demo in front of BBC Portland Place, London on Saturday 12 January, from 12 noon til 3.30pm, if you, Sir, want to ask me any questions on Grey Swans and Labour state pension policy (at the moment entirely missing in their Manifesto).

I am a 1957 female , also a carer, made redundant at 60. Do you know how difficult it is to persuade companies that we are employable when even they think 60 is a pensioner and not a prospective new employee?
My pension pot is low due to three factors. 1. Being a female who chose to have family first and start career later
2. Having a disabled spouse who had to finish work at 42.
3. The company I worked for had a gender pay gap which influences pension.

The government notification of changes came into effect after these factors. The speeding up of their decision dud not give time to allow fenales to make alternative financial plans. The continued culture against recruiting 60+ women in good professions does not help.

Thank you to everyone who has kept this campaign going. When I was 50 I planned my finances as a single lady and had 10 years to work to retire at 60. 10 years on I now have a further 6 years to work/ wait for this to be paid. Equates to losing £36,000.00 at least in lost pension. Has meant lots of women who have planned to retire at 60 have been let down and feel very hard done to. So glad it is being aired at least.

How do I support this action? I was completely unaware of the change in pension age and received a shock when I discovered the new age. How can it be that my ex husband, born in 1954, who wll be 65.5 years old, can retire 6 months earlier than me at 66. As I suffer from serious and progressive illnesses, this is causing me unnecessary stress and hardship.

I was born in 1956 and cannot claim my state pension until I am 66. I worked for the local Government for 43 years and retired at 60. I have I feel been penalised in relation to the state pension. Lets hope Justice is done and we can have the state pension we are entitled too!!!

So unfair we were given no notice and to raise it SIX years is disgusting and will have lost around £40K; and yes foreigners get all the benefits – where’s the justice in that! And loads of money goes abroad – look after the people who have put into the system first.

I was affected by this born 1957, new retirement date 2023. I had 6 years to go when this came in and it was doubled to twelve. Not only have I lost out on pension money, all plans I had for my retirement at 60 went out the window. My partner is 11 years older than me and we thought we would have time to spend in retirement together. He will be 77 when I retire now and really hope he is still in good health so we can still carry out at least some of our previous plans. Thank you so much for the work you are putting in to fight this!!!!

It should have been phased in. Governments are spiteful towards the working classes. If you cant work and are in social housing you are punished with bedroom tax because the children have left, £73 and pennies to live on if you cant work but of course that saves them nearly £100 by raising the pension age. Like many on here I have to wait until 66 until I can get some of the 42 years worth of money I have paid to governments via taxes and NI contributions and everything else we are ripped off for in this country. Other countries at least pay higher pensions than ours. So I hope the government delaying tactics are thrown out by a judge that sees it for what it is.

I wrote to the Minister for Pensions last year suggesting the following compromise, but as expected got an 8 page reply basically saying nothing and certainly not addressing any point that I had made:- – – – “Would it have been so difficult to come to an amicable conclusion that would have allowed for a transitional arrangement, where most women would lose out financially, but by varying levels based on age and closeness to state pension age. As those women involved were not informed until “very late in the day” (many were never informed at all) – my wife found out at 58, transitional arrangements as follows would seem far fairer, far more reasonable, and would be more acceptable to most:-

At the time of change:-
Women aged 58 to 60 – no change in state pension age as 2 years warning is totally insufficient.
Women aged 56 to 57 – new state pension age of 61.
Women aged 54 to 55 – new state pension age of 62.
Women aged 52 to 53 – new state pension age of 63.
Women aged 50 to 51 – new state pension age of 64.
Women aged 48 to 49 – new state pension age of 65.
Women aged 47 or younger – new state pension age of 66.

This is not “rocket science”, it is fairness and consideration that those involved deserve. Changing from 60 to 66 in one fell swoop was, and still is, disastrous to all those involved and should be reconsidered as a matter of urgency. A retrospective amendment as outlined above is still possible. These women deserve it, I ask for your comments and also ask that you take forward suggestions for altering and rectifying some of the damage already done without delay”.

This is welcome news, on a personal level I have already worked nearly 4 years more than I expected. I would love to stop working as my health is suffering but my savings are disappearing so quickly, plus still have a mortgage . I live on my own and struggle to heat it adequately -the winter fuel allowance would have made such a difference . Please, please, please let this review be successful, we have all had unfairness in the workplace including not being able to pay into work pensions and being “leapfrogged” by men on promotion as they were ” the main breadwinners” . So very very unfair. Let this injustice end and give women the dignity they deserve.

Why oh why do you have to express your views regarding men in this forum, the government are to blame not men, who incidentally have had to work until they are 65 for years. What the government has done maybe unjust but stop blaming men for it. The barrister representing your case is one, if you haven’t noticed.

Thank you for all your help. I was born in 1958. I have worked part and full time since I was 18, I brought up 3 children as a divorced lady since 2001. Recently I have given up my job to care for my mother who didn’t live near me and at 86 needs help. I get £64.50 a week for this. Getting my rightful pension is desperately needed.

It is discrimination of all of us women. I have paid 40 years full contributions and am still only 63, cannot get a job, and am in financial hardship. I worked hard all my life, only had maternity leave once, and now my savings are paying all the bills. The savings which were for my old age and may be needed for care will all be gone sooner than I get my pension. I can’t see Teresa May being concerned at all as she has lots of money!!

It doesn’t make any difference to her because her pension still comes out at 60 . When they brought these new changes in that we weren’t even notified by . The made sure that they wrote in the new rules . That mp pensions wouldn’t alter . So they still get it at the old time 60

I and my husband were born in 1952 I worked all my life except for 4 years off for kids. I expected to get my pension at 60 and hubby at 65. That’s what it was for a long long time at 58 I was told I wasn’t going to get my pension to 62 and 4 months, husband still 65. So where was the logic in that, if things were equal why wasn’t husbands age put up then as well. As things were I had to retire at 58 due to disability so we really struggled for money then We had no option but to downsize as couldn’t afford the mortgage. If I was to get pension at 60 I would have struggled on but no way the extra years

I was born in 52 and had to work till I was 62 to get my state pension if they bring it back down to 60 for women will we be able to claim them 2yrs back cos if not it’s not fair,but we probably won’t be able to cos they’ll come up with something

Thankyou 💐
I was born August 1955,no warning of any changes and now cannot retire until September 2021,I was made redundant in December 2018,claiming Universal Credit,my health is poor I see no hope of getting another job, and through no fault of my own I will now struggle to survive until retirement (if I do) on top of this I am expected to pay £25.00 extra per week bedroom tax but this stops at retirement, (would have stopped at 60 ) i can only thankyou for fighting my corner

Well done and thank you
I now spend my 60 struggling to keep my bills paid and finding the phisical and emotional stress in bearable after working since 15 yrs old , don’t know how much more I can take I am a 1956 child and feel like my whole life is upside down sad 😔

It is a struggle without our pension. Having to work longer if thats possible. I have had a sick husband who took early retirement at 58. He will be 65 this year i will be 60 neither of ud will now get our stste pension ad we had planned and thought we would. I regard it as notjing more than theft.

I was made redundant at 56.5 years. As my husband was disabled and needing more help I took a pay out. I thought the money would be enough to see us through til I was 60. Only found out at 59 i wouldnt get my pension at 60 and that was online. I’ve never received anything in writing from DWP. So now we struggle. Even if I could leave him to go back to work who would employ a 62 year old who’s been out of work for 6 years..
Thanks for all you do.

I was born 1954, so 65 yrs old this April . My contributions are coming up to 50 years! I had no warning 1 st moved to 63 then not much notice been moved to 65 1/2 years. What is going on?? I’m still working still paying in . And now feeling tired and have nearly completed the extra 5 1/2 years. 60 hrs a week !!Hope I don’t die before this wicked government pays up its little or no notice I’m complaining about. No time to save or plan for retirement. I entered the contract at 15 years old I’ve kept my side of the contract which is more than the government can say !!!😡

64 NOW AND HEARD ITS TO BE MAY 2O2O AFTER STARTING WORK FULL TIME AT 15 THIS IS NO JOKE MY HUBBY OLDER THAN ME AND ENJOYING HIS STATE PENSION WHICH IS HIS AND HE DOSENT INTEND SHARING WITH ME !SO THANKYOU FOR ALL WORKING SO HARD TO GET THIS SAD WRONG DOING PUT RIGHT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER…ALREADY LOST A SISTER IN LAW AND A FEW VERY BEST FRIENDS THAT NOW WONT GET A PENNY OF THEIR HARD WORKED PENSIONS !!

Government under pressure you say don’t make me laugh, they are laughing up our backs
I would like that soft of pressure for our money they get wouldn’t you?
Oh by the way I was born in the best year 1954 😥

Interesting that this says that the DWP are dealing with maladministration. I have received a letter from them saying that my claim (about not receiving a letter telling me about the dates moving) has been closed as a result of the judicial review. This is a shambles of an affair!
I was born 1957, left my job in 2015 thinking I could manage on savings until age 60 & state pension. Savings all gone, can’t get a job as who want to employ a nearly 62-year-old with diagnosed arthritis in her neck and knees? Struggling with bills. Worked from age 18 and apart from 3 years at home with babies I have paid full national insurance – that I thought was me paying into my own pension – how wrong I was to trust them

I was born in 1957 I’ve worked since I was 15 I should have retired 2 yrs ago but now have to work another 4yrs before I can get my pension I would finish work tomorrow if I could. Thank you for fighting this for us let’s hope it goes in our favour

I feel so cheated! Really want to enjoy my retirement at 60 and still having to work to the age of 66 should be voluntary thing! Some may wish to do that but I personally don’t …I’ve worked since the age if 16 in the NhS and feel it’s time to let the younger generation have these jobs! I am annoyed to be treated unfairly and robbed of our hard earned money

Thank you, I hope we win this. We also lost out as women were never paid the same wages as men and many women worked part time when children were in school. Compare any woman working alongside a man who both payed into an occupational pension and the result would be that the man would be much better off. For those reasons alone, this age increase should have been phased in over many years. It’s only recently that wages have become equal. So without the same opportunity to save via pensions etc., how can the government just say that you are all equal now and just change the age. If I’d have been aware of the implications of having to wait an extra 6 years, in my case, then I may have tried to save more into a pension fund.

This is one of the greatest injustices of all time , worked since 15yrs old still can’t get my pension at 63. I presumed i had a contract with the goverment , how they’ve been allowed to get away with this is beyond me, very quick to take my national insurances co tributions though!

Well done all about time – I had to wait another 3.5 years to get my pension which is not enough to live on and to add insult to injury I nursed my mother for 8.5 years was refused carer allowance therefore lost 8 years tax credits.

I was born in 1957. I left school in 1974 just before turning 15. I worked paye at a shop for a few months before going freelance self employed. I couldn’t buy national insurance stamps until I was 16 because they didn’t do them for girls, but they did for boys. Total inequality. I believed that I would retire at 60. But here I am at 61 working 40 hours a week struggling with hearing loss and other health issues. I am a registered carer for 2 of my adult sons who are disabled. I have had emotional breakdowns with the pressure. My suggestion is that pension age could be the same for men and women, we wouldn’t have felt so cheated if mens retirement came down and women’s went up to meet in the middle at 62 and a half.

66 is far to old to continue working. By the time I got to 61 I was struggling I have Arthritis now been diagnosed with Angina.. I really believe the stress of working course the Angina due to stress. I have worked full time plus extra hours all my life. I am young at heart but my body is now taking the strain 60 is enough for most women I know. The body is like a car engine some last longer than others some can be repaired the rest nothing more can help and it claps out. At 60 you still got some strength left to enjoy your retirement. Mind if the lucky ones who’s fit enough to continue then let the have the option of keeping on going.

I was born in 57 and got to wait six & a half years . I think it would be more appropriate to reinstate the pensions for all . As there are people with no money . If I was having my pension. I would gladly. Leave the back money . So the people that have nothing get some money

I was born November 1954. I left school at 15 and worked all my life till made redundant at 61. No chance of getting a job at that age. I had to clean houses to pay my mortgage and Bill’s. I cant retire till I’m 66, that’s November 2020. 2 years younger than you but have to work nearly 4 years more. How did they work that one out?

There is a lot of confusion about this with many women thinking they missed out because they retired before the new state pension was introduced when in fact they have not. Those who retired under the old system had their SERPS and SP2 contributions added to the basic state pension. Those who retire under the new system have deductions made for any years spent ‘contracted out’. According to the DWP no-one should get less under the new system than under the old one.

I was born in 1952 and had children prior to 1978 when Home Protection was introduced , women before this date had about the same status as battery chickens when they had children and simply lost NI contributions because they were not “working”. My SPA was increased by 2 years and 7 months, I didn’t get the new higher state pension and my pension outcome was affected just because I’m female and had children. The government insults us all when they claim this legislation has created gender equality.

I agree but I feel that women born in the early 60’s should be included. I am 1961 baby and as usual feel like I’ll just missing out again, years of my retirement has been stolen along with yours. When I started work at 16 we where expecting to retire at 60, the government has never put raising the state pension age out to the public and it is only after they raise it do they tell us it has risen again. They make us feel like we are a burden on society and asking for something that we have spent years paying in for. Stop moving the goal post.

June, I couldn’t agree more. I was born in March 1960 & will work until I’m 66. Most employers aren’t interested in older women even though we have years of experience & it’s yet another way for the government to rip off a section of society, believing no-one will rock the boat – watch this space !!!!!

I was born at the end of 1956. I got my first full time job at the age of 15.5 years and continued to be in full time employment and paid full contributions into the system. I am now 62 and should have been enjoying semi retirement on my state pension which was taken away from me. I hope justice can be served to all the women who have lost thousands of pounds due to this injustice.

Justice must be done.. this was an unlawful trick that was played against innocent hard working women who were born in the 50’s… we were not informed we were not warned..I suspect that the powers that be are hoping we will all be dead soon.

My concern is not only that we women have to wait an extra 5/6 years for our pensions but also that we are delaying the career progression of younger people and therefore reducing employment opportunities for those leaving full time education. The government must be paying these people some form of benefit. No doubt this has not been taken in to account when the net savings made by delaying female and male pensions were calculated.
I had my retirement altered twice by the government, from 60 to 63.25 and then to 3 days shy of 65. Someone told me to defer the payment to gain a better pension. My reply was that as far as I was concerned I had already deferred it by 5 years and I was going to have it before they changed it again.
Can we also think of the men, my husband will be 67 when he gets his pension.

It’s a disgrace. No letter. No notice. Never heard a word about the pension age going up. I was born in 1954. I was looking forward to eventually drawing my pension 3 weeks before my 60th on the 20th January 2014, when I was told I won’t be getting it until I was 63. Absolutely gutted having worked and paid a full stamp all my life, within the next few weeks my husband informed me that the government had moved it back again to 65 & 4 months. I have been robbed by the government of £40,000. This should never have been allowed to happen. I will be 65 next week. I have struggled for the last 5 years. This greedy, vile government have a lot to answer for.

So pleased we women caught up in this mess will have our day in court. I had to retire in my 40s from my nursing career. Government stopped incapacity, changed it ESA which I couldn’t claim as my husband worked so I had a double whammy.

It is discrimination of all of us women. I have paid 40 years full contributions and am still only 63, cannot get a job, and am in financial hardship. I worked hard all my life, only had maternity leave once, and now my savings are paying all the bills. The savings which were for my old age and may be needed for care will all be gone sooner than I get my pension.

Born in 1957, worked since I was 15 and brought my son up alone since I was 35. I now have my elderly Mother living with me and can only claim Carer’s allowance and have a very small private pension. Being able to claim my state pension would make a massive difference and the fact that the Government passed this without warning is unforgivable. Good luck and I sincerely hope you win.

I married at 18 and was told I could pay a married woman’s stamp which was pennies rather than pounds, I asked what benefits I had by continuing to pay the full stamp and was told that I could retire at 60 with my own pension, so I carried on paying. Now all those women who paid the small amount get their pension at the same time as me. Where has my extra money gone and how is that fair??? I’m not in good health but have to work another 4 years before I can retire. I’m so so bitter about this and this government in general. As everyone else has said we have paid for it and we want it now.

Good luck to all those who were denied their pensions with no chance to plan for the changes. Like many, I suffered hardship. I applied for early retirement from a good, but very demanding job when state pension age was 60. My application was approved when it had changed to 62, – which I thought I could manage. Since retiring the age has changed twice with no notice and, although I have found some work, it has been tough. How could the manner in which changes made be right? I do agree with equalising and increasing men and women’s pension ages over time and with notice – but there must be a better way.

So glad missed my state pension by 26 days . Was made to pay half stamp by my husband and not given a change to make it upon. Now been disabled by a accident at work and never been teaminated by Cambridge council but they stopped paying anything into my pension or payment to them . I did win my case and the money is in a thrust fund . Been made to buy my home out of money for a carer for me . I been let Down by Sussex council . Now fallen and dislocated my patellar bone in my left leg
Now I looking to pay for a carer and a dog walker .. I don’t get much money to live on . So I hope you win

Please be aware ladies that due to the new ruling on pensions if you give up work before your pension is due, you will be short of years. I stopped working at 62, I am due to receive my pension when 66 (born November 1954), I had 37 year contributions paid so thought I qualified for full pension as per my forecast. However due to new ruling I have just discovered I will be 4 years short and will loose around £90 per month unless I back pay approx £700 per year for the so called missing years. I feel I have been doubly cheated after working all my life with only a very short break when I had my children. There was no family credits or free nursery places then!!!! Be warned they are not informing us of the changes in pension contribution rulings!!!!!!

Hope it’s in our favour I’ve worked since I was 16 full time for many of those years I did 2 jobs i would love to retire at 60 cos quite frankly I would love to enjoy life while I can. Why retire at 67 and then wait to die ? The system is fucked up and who will want to employ people our age I work in the care sector it’s a young person’s game. I’m knackered now let alone 7 more years ffs. 🤮😤😫

Thank you very much. It feels so good that great people are in our corner fighting against injustice. I only thing I did wrong was being born in the fifties (1956) and I couldn’t help that. It feels like all my life I’ve been fighting injustice. I don’t feel alone now. Thank you again.

I was given 10days notice that my pension was deferred for 4yrs 7months. I was one of the few women who actually received notification, albeit too late and not what the government promised. This must have caused considerable hardship to so many women.

I am now 64 and worked full time paying in over 40 years of NI contributions. Women were not allowed to join private pension schemes in companies so resulting in me only receiving just over £400 per month to live on from my private pension – no entitlement to benefits its a disgrace

Please keep me posted. I am a WASPI member. I tell people of the issues, share emails and retweet. I’m 61 a typical 1950’s woman who brought up kids worked part time, split from partner continued to bring up kids, worked full time, had to cash in pension, could not afford it, my partner who I do not have problems with has a lovely pension pot!!
I was not given any clear warning of the pension age changing I downsized thinking I would now be retired. I was a lecturer, tutor and employed in the public sector. I have worked in the private sector for 10 years now. I do not get sick pay, my pay is appalling, I session lead drama for 1 and a half days to young people with learning disabilities in an independent specialist college which keeps me semi sane. I support for 1 and half days which is becoming way too difficult for me physically. I have COPD, arthritis, bone thinning, I have contributed much to society myself for 40 years and my daughter’s and their partners and friends continue to do so. I feel soul destroyed at times as I would not have downsized had I known I’d still be working. Not all of us are really healthy at 60 or even younger. I would like some decent quality time in my remaining few years….no doubt I’ll still be helping the state by helping with child care for my grandkids!! How come the pension minister who put up the age ….was allowed to retire at 60 on a million pound pension. It is a disgusting, shameful situation

I have worked since l was 15 years old and unfortunately lost my job in october 2016 l have neen unable to claim any benefits and had to live off my savings l thought l would be getting my pension in september this year but the goverment had other ideas, where is the justice in this ??

There should not be a case for it. We have earned our pensions. What excuse for DWP have after finding out that the Minister for DWP is retiring with a massive payout and lump sum at the age of 61. Who do they think they are???

I have another 5 years before I get my pension. So am struggling & am having to work 2 days a week as I got made redundant from my full time job , as a deputy nursery manager . And it’s really hard to find another one at the age of 60 . And my husband is retired & only has a pension

Fantastic news. Everything crossed. This is a total injustice to women who have worked since 16 and planned to retire at 60. We are losing thousands of pounds and also paying an additional 6 years of N. I. contributions which accumulates to a hefty sum.

Worked from age seventeen 43 years NIS told in, 2012 I could not retire until 2020 should of been 2014 two years notice is discraceful my Mum has Altzheimers and I have to have carers to help as I am still working we have been truly shafted by the government loosing near fourty thousand pound that was rightly ours

Keeping my fingers crossed that some common sense prevails..and so grateful for the judicial review. At least all the facts will be on the table and not brushed aside like DWP and government have tried to do

oh thank you but my life depends on this. Have worked another 4 years and its been despicable, former nurse, but was long term agency as it worked better then for family flexibility, as single mum to 4 lovely boys. Since leaving nursing with replaced ankle joint, retail short term, low paid work only avail. No help, have arthritis, knackered knees and prolapsing bladder! Cannot go on sickness as huge query over affect of low work in last 2 years which decides eligibility, even though full time for 48 years before that, so tragic. Have relied on boot sales, behind on all bills, almost destitute, just taken on 3rd job!!!!!!

Thank you campaigners, this news brings fresh hope for those of us who are affected by the abrupt changes to state pension. I feel that the key issue here is not necessarily that women weren’t told by letter about the steep raising of state pension age. Even if they followed the news closely, and knew, it was often way too late to make any proper alternative plans. Many 1950’s women have worked most of their adult lives, alongside raising families and caring for relatives, but without the kind of support structures that are now in place for younger women. If they had to work part-time, even in a professional career, they would lose out on work-based pensions and other benefits – if those were available at all. My personal situation is that I have had multiple jobs and projects in the creative industries, including as a (zero hours contract) associate lecturer for many years. Much of the rest was self-employed, but I also filled in with office and agency work, so I’m fully paid up with NI contributions (having worked in over fifty different employment situations to support my creative work and family). However, having at last been able, as a part-time teacher, to join the university pension scheme, I thought it would be possible to build up some extra pension up to the age of 66. But no..I was finally made redundant just a couple of years after that started (twenty years after the employment began). Meanwhile, several years ago, my husband found himself a younger partner and left..(and his full, unbroken teacher’s pension will provide for only them both when he retires, and not for me, his then wife of 30 years and mother of his children). Also, there is no reason why I should have had to rely upon his pension at all!! I like working and continue to be involved with various projects, but it has been impossible so far to secure even a reasonable income via any kind of employment recently. Though fairly frugal, I’ve now used up all personal resources and fear losing my home. I can’t afford to visit my children and new grandchildren who moved overseas in part due to Brexit. Health has been good, but fear a decline, as often I awaken in the early hours, worried! The current pension situation for my generation seems deeply unfair from many points of view, and surely needs to be reversed – hopefully back to 60, but even 63 would be better than no change.

I was born in 1957. Have worked since I was 17. I work part time now since 60 but can’t retire fully until I receive my OAP when I am 66. I will then have been working for over 50 years even when my children were small. I feel very sad that insufficient notice was given for women like myself to make provision for working until 66..all my life I thought I would be retiring at the age of 60. I like many others have been done out 9f around 40k and it is just not fair

I have worked since I was 15 years old I am now 63 years old I paid enough stamps by the time I was 60 so I really hope we can win don’t know how much longer I can work with osteopetrosis. It would be a god send if I could draw my state pension sooner than 2021.
Think it’s disgusting that illegal immigrants are getting more benefits than what I would be getting pension. Plus I can’t even get it for another 3 years.

Not only have we missed out on our pension starting at 60..we continue to pay National Insurance contributions and many have needed to pay a lump sum to top up the increased number of contributory years that are now required to get a full pension.I am 62 and my husband died at 61 and he paid in all his life …aided by our joint efforts in employment to cover our expenses…but this contribution is now lost and I will not benefit…as they now say your pension is in your own right……nothing like changing the rules to avoid making earned and just payments

Well done I turned 60 this year my husband is 11 years older than me so whilst he is retired I still have to work meaning we have very little quality time together. People come in to our country they get benefits housing everything they need whilst we have homeless people of our own its about time this country looked after its own citizens first ,lets hope they win thank you very much for caring.

I’m 65, and still working received my pension last May worked 4 years and 5months extra, lost over £30k,, my choice now to carry on working, though reducing my he’s but I’m enjoying the extra to treat my Grandkids but it’s been hard so I hope u win the next stage and Thank u to all who has been fighting this on our behalf

Born 1958 worked from age 13 had 3 years off when I had my son I’ve always worked at least 2 jobs and even now am still working full time and part time at night .. Feel I have paid my dues ie taxes national insurance and the thought that I need to work another 7 years is so unfair .. At this rate I won’t be fit enough to enjoy my retirement at least if I got my pension now I could cut back on some hrs .. So thanks for taking this on and I will be holding my breath and crossing everything for the outcome..

I was to retire at 60yrs then moved to 63yrs 8 months then moved Again to 65yrs 3months I was born in Jan 54 so penalised twice for the year I was born ! I raised my children and worked this is unfair to women !

I turned 65 in November 2018 – Twice the pension age was put up before I could achieve the original retirement age of 60. By the time I reached 65 I had paid in 44 years of contributions, 11 years more than the maximum needed of 33 years. No extra for those 11 years and I am still working!

I am made up, just to get a hearing , too many women born in the 1950s, have been cheated and lied to , with no thought of how hard we worked and the tough times we went through, because Mothers had to prove they were not well enough to have more children, to get contraceptives because of the second world war and the lose of life , so hence the baby boom, most of the people born in this country, after the war worked hard to build it up , so all could have a good life, women of my age became baby sitters for their siblings, it was nothing to see a six year old girl with a pram and looking after children it was the norm, we had a pride in ourselves and our community, all we want is what we worked and paid for for our later years , and we have earned it.

I’m 64 and have to wait until 2020 until I receive my pension which is so unfair when not given enough time to save. My husband is 10 years older than me and has cancer which is being treated but isn’t curable, it would have made such a difference to me to have received my pension at 60. Thank you for fighting our corner.

It should be based on the number of years contributed. I have worked and paid in to the system for 45 years, so why should I be robbed of six years retirement. Six more years of working and still paying into the system. Nothing less than DAYLIGHT ROBBERY.

I was born in December 1954 , l started paying N.I. when l was 15years 3 months when l worked in the Littlewoods store in Oxford Street as a Saturday job. Then at 16 years old l started full time work at Lloyds of London . Other than 3 years after my son was born l worked full time until 2017, l now work 3days a week . I still pay rent which l will always have to because l live in a housing association property as a tenant . Like many people my age group l now would like to take things easier also enjoying some travel along with a social life . I don’t think that’s too much to ask when l have paid fair and square into a system l always believed would pay my state pension as of my 60th birthday.
I am very angry also feeling sad that the government decided not to fulfill the agreement , that state pension , which l see as money that is owed to me and would make such a difference to my life .
We are of an age group that believed we were paying in to a system that gave us a pension at the Grand age of 60 years , private pension were not spoken off .
I feel strongly that no government had the right to take this away from us and want to thank you for taking this to a court on our behalf.

My best pal is just 8 months older than me, she had her pension 2 years ago, and I’m really pleased for her, I was born in 1954 and have to wait until May this year (although that doesn’t appear to be cast in stone) for my state pension , I will be 65 next week, how is that huge difference justified? About 3 times extra on the additional wait and consequently about another £20k lighter than she is. My career – as with many my age was sacrificed to be the main carer for our children, I continued to work but didn’t get the same opportunities as male counterparts, same applies to being able to put into private pensions, nothing left over when you paid childcare etc etc etc…the reward for this was supposed to be retire at 60, I too have worked since 13 (Saturday jobs & school holidays, paper rounds and the like) and paid my dues. Why should we have to suffer because successive governments failed to invest our money properly instead giving it away to those that have never contributed. I still work, but I should now be reaping the benefit of being healthy enough to do so and being able to put a little extra aside…instead of which I have had around £40,000 stolen from me, my husband is also still working as our plans to relax together have been kyboshed, he’s 68 this year and has had some health problems, but doesn’t feel he can retire whilst I still have to work. I wish us all luck in May in getting something back, even if they just gave us back the tax and national insurance back that we’ve paid for the extra years would be a start for those who have been able to work, and all of the lost pension plus interest for those that haven’t been able to carry on working through no fault of their own.

I was born April 1955 and have worked since I was 16, with my retirement age being 60 in 2015, I have been looking forward to retiring in 2015 only to be told got to work another 6 years my husband was born 1952 and could have retired 2017 but did an extra year. We both have elderly parents that need help, my 92 year old mother keeps asking me when I am going to retire, so that we can spend time together. The government have robbed myself and I am sure many other ladies of spending precious time with our elderly parents and partners and putting pressure on care in the community, as we could be looking after our parents, if I had not been forced to work these extra 6 years. The way things are going I will be very lucky if my Mother is still here when I retire in 2.5 years Thank you for the hard work and persistence, bringing this to court

I have worked from the age of 16 and am now 61. My husband died 3 years ago at age 60 and I don’t get a widows pension. When I eventually draw my state pension at age 66 I don’t even get the advance extra state pension because my husband was not retired when he died at age 60 and so I am not entitled to any of his pension as other women are if their husbands live to retirement age. He worked from age 15 until a year before his death. I this government has had all his national insurance contributions as well as my state pension money. So no widows pension. No state pension til 66. Not entitled to any of the money my late husband paid to the system. It’s a disgrace how we are treated. I hope we win and they pay us all what we are owed and deserve.

I went to my MP about this when I found out via a small article in a national newspaper. I was not quite 60 at that point and couldn’t believe that it would be 2020 before I would see a penny of the pension I worked for since age 18. Her response was that I should have saved more! She had no understanding of women working in the 1960s & 1970s .I enquired about MPs protected pensions and got a hostile reply, I contacted so many people in government at that time and all were dismissive. Thank you Mr Mansfield and your team and Backto60, I am so grateful to you for leading this fight for us in such an intelligent and professional way, It was a devasting shock for every woman born in the 1950s,

I was affected by the imposed changes with no notification I’ve worked hard since the age of 15 and paid into the system for 50yrs I was born 1954 and needed to work until I’m 65 and 6months of which I’m still working. I cannot believe people can come into this country and obtain benefits when they have not paid a penny into the system where’s the justice in this. The 50s women have been discriminated against unfairly and I welcome the hearing and outcome of this court case. I pray justice is served for us all.

I also feel cheated twice !!.I was born in 1953 April 2,have 48 years of work under my belt ,never claimed a penny from benefits or state handouts .I paid a full national insurance stamp ,not a married womans stamp ! I have missed out on the new government pension by 4 days ! and am now in receipt of the old pension delayed by 3 years (i was nearly 63 when i got it) ,and because i paid into my company final salary pension scheme ,£40 -00 per week was deducted from my government OAP ..Well and truly screwed by the government

Yes – I quite agree why should we have to wait for contributions we have made in state when we are 66/67. We have not contributed for those who have never had to work can enjoy our contribution. Yes this not fair. We get our Pension when we are due to have then not when we are about to die. Action needs to be taken so that we can enjoy our contribution when we are living and are entitled to. Thanks . Jay. 10/01/19

I am 63 and have always worked and have paid well over the years of contributions required. Had cancer 6 years ago and still suffer from long term effects but struggle on working full time. Another 2 years and 4 months to carry on working it feels like punishment. I feel for young people who are going to have to work much longer. Let women and men retire at 60 and let the young ones have the jobs. The system is so unfair.

I was born on 10/08/1954 and I have to wait until July 2020 before I qualify for my pension. I started work at age 15 and have contributed throughout my working life of 51 years! I expected my pension at 60. I know of 2 friends born in January 1954 and they will qualify for their pension in May 2019, why do I have to wait an additional 14 months before I get my pension, I feel outraged and discriminated against.

I am in exactly the same situation, out with old school friends recently, a few of them all in the same school year as me but born Sept/ Oct 1953 getting their pensions now, I have to wait until July 2020, born 1954. How does that work, talk about rubbing salt into the wounds.

It is so wrong to make women wait, I worked from leaving school in 1974. Later looked after my mother until she was 91. Now that I have health problems, this makes it harder to find the right job for me. So have been living off my savings, but now things are costing more,its difficult. If we don’t get the pension, then for me a bus pass would help greatly !!

I was born in Sept 1954. Was expecting to get my pension last September.
Mr Cameron slatted those born after April 54. We had 2 years added to our pensionable age. Friends a year older got theirs in 2017. I have to wait until 2020.
That really is unjust!

I am one of the back to 60s, and waspies. Have worked since 16 years old, now over 60, and at our ages health starts to suffer, had a stroke August 2017, but can’t afford to cut hours as have worked full time for my pension, and if I cut hours my pension will be based on part time. Unfair, unjust, and forcing people to work beyond their health allows. Sincerely hope you succeed, or many of us will be forced to work till we drop.

Think they should also be asking where all the moneys gone that should have been paid out for us ladies born in the 50,s. Work since the age of 15, paid my cons, still working now, want us all to drop dead, that way they haven’t got to pay us, get the tax evaders to put all the money back they’ve scuttled away from the dwp

I was born in 1959 and spent most of my working life as a staff nurse sometimes working 19 hours per shift due to on calls at the end of my 13hr shift. I’m tired, and have several arthritic issues and chronic back pain for the last 10 years. I look after my 4 grandchildren for 12 hours on my day off. I am more than ready to relax and rest my aching bones. Fingers crossed we will win. Many thanks for the campaigners hard work.

I hope for all that this goes in favour of all the women this affects like many i have worked from leaving school, at fifteen not.even time out for having a baby yet we send money out to other counties willy nilly. i say look after the people who have paid into the system in this country.
The less you pay in the more you seem to get out of the system so wrong

I hope this goes through as I am born 1959 and have to wait until I am 66 I started working when I was 13 and thought I would get my pension aged 60 it is so wrong having to wait especially as I am in poor health. Thank you so much for trying to help us all. 🤞🤞

In Feb 2009 I was having a conversation at work about retiring in 6 years time. 30 seconds later, to my horror, that had grown to 12 years. Shortly after, it went up by another year. It was only a few years before I got married that women HAD to leave work when they married. My generation are the first to go back to work full time but have marriages where our husbands expected to have their tea on the table after a hard day’s work The housework and raising kids was women’s work. I have held down a full time job and run a household full time from age 20 up until now – I’m 62. I’ve been through chemotherapy, DVTs and have osteoarthritis. I can’t even get a ruddy bus pass. I confess I am knackered. 1324 days to retirement. Not that I’m counting or anything.
Thank you so much to all those who are fighting on my behalf.

Well done to everyone involved for their hard work getting this to court. I was born in 1962 and really think women born in the early 60s should be included! I have worked for 41 years, looked after my mum, dad and two children and I was really looking forward to my retirement. Time for me….Fingers crossed that the age is changed back to 60 as I feel women have now become slaves of this country !!

Does this action only cover those born in 59s then? I was born in 1961 and have many muscoskrletal problems currently preventing me working as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities and sometimes physical disabilities. Am struggling to be seen in hospital as appointments keep getting cancelled. I work for the DHSC also which is the irony and they will soon be dismissing me so I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do then sonkong from retirement. We are able to work til 75 in my job though I’m really not sure how anyone could be fit and safe to work in the job by then. The cynic in me thinks that perhaps death in service saves in paying out state benefit

Put into place intentionally without consideration of the hardship caused to many women. Women who having worked and contributed to society were placed in a position where they would be unable to prepare financially for retirement. Unacceptable and unjust.

My husband – born in 1953 – retired at 60 as we were lucky enough for him to have had a works pension. He received his state pension last May when he was 65. I was born Dec 1954 and will now not get my state pension / bus pass / fuel allowance until I am 66 rather than the 64 1/2 that i was supposed to get it at. Prior to him being 65 we were asked by our financial adviser to get our state pension statements . This was when we found out that his NI record showed contributions from when he was 62 up to him being 65. As he had not worked since he was 60 we queried this with HMRC. We were staggered by the response.! Apparently men get NI credits’ to compensate them for not getting a pension as ear!y as a woman of the same age’. If nothing else these credits should be given to those women who have suddenly found themselves having to wait longer for their state pension – myself included !